The Christian Channel enters new ownership agreement with World Impact Ministries

TORONTO, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - The S-VOX group of companies, which includes
VisionTV and One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel, today announced the sale of
The Christian Channel to World Impact Ministries (WIM), a St. Catharines,
ON-based Christian charity known for media and international work, subject to
the approval of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC).
Mark Prasuhn, President of The Christian Channel and Chief Content
Officer for VisionTV, said: "We launched The Christian Channel in 2005 with
the intent of better serving Canadians with a varied and robust schedule of
the finest Christian programming from around the world. I'm proud of the
accomplishments of our team towards this goal, and at the same time I'm
delighted that WIM will be the new owner of the channel. WIM is uniquely well
positioned to build on the success that has been achieved to date, and we look
forward to working with them to achieve a smooth transition."
Peter Youngren, President and Founder of WIM, said: "We are proud to
continue building on the vibrant Christian television channel that the S-VOX
group has established in Canada. WIM looks to create a strong spiritual voice
of goodwill and friendship toward all Canadians, and to present relevant
religious programming that addresses the needs and interests of society as a
whole. WIM will seek to increase the distribution of The Christian Channel
both within Canada and around the globe."
WIM will take over the operation and control of The Christian Channel,
upon CRTC approval, and will establish a new flagship variety program,
ENCOUNTER, which will air daily in prime time. The hour-long talk and current
affairs show, hosted by Peter Youngren, will be produced by The Christian
Channel under WIM's management.
WIM will add new religious programming from Canadian and international
producers, and will seek to substantiate The Christian Channel as a provider
of hope to all Canadians regardless of background, culture or religion.
Under the terms of a Services Agreement, VisionTV will continue to
provide technical and service support to The Christian Channel subsequent to
the closure of the transaction. Airtime sales to broadcast ministries will
continue to be managed by Trillenium Group, which has represented the channel
since 2006.
For more information on The Christian Channel, please visit
www.christianchannel.ca.
The S-VOX group of companies (www.s-vox.com) offer high-quality
television and digital content for individuals seeking spiritual awareness and
personal growth. S-VOX companies include: VisionTV, Canada's multi-faith and
multicultural television broadcaster, along with the digital television
service One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel, and the local stations Joytv 10
in Vancouver and Joytv 11 in Winnipeg. Other ventures include Vision TV
International, a partnership with Toronto-based Ellis Entertainment that
develops, produces and distributes original programming for the global
marketplace.
WIM (www.peteryoungren.org) has established itself as one of Canada's
premier religious ambassadors of peace, love and harmony in Canada and around
the globe since 1976. Adopting an approach of FRIENDSHIP and
NON-DISCRIMINATION in an age of increasing religious intolerance and unrest,
Peter Youngren and WIM have forged a path of reconciliation and harmony. WIM
will continue to promote a BRIDGE BUILDING approach through The Christian
Channel productions and original programming, and establish The Christian
Channel as an oasis of hope and faith for all Canadians.